Shenzhen Fashion Week expands with help of IMG

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Feb 3, 2015

Shenzhen Fashion Week aims to become a major event in Asia. In order to increase its consequence in China and abroad, the Shenzhen Garment Industry Association (SGIA) and the People’s Government of Shenzhen announced a "strategic partnership" a few days ago with the US-based IMG, one of the major agencies representing athletes, artists and models that is also active at many Fashion Weeks.

The support and expertise of IMG should help transform Shenzhen Fashion Week "into an important platform for international designers wishing to break into China and for Chinese brands looking to grow their businesses domestically and globally," both sides said in a statement. 

"A few years ago, IMG was asked to host a show of a group showing of Shenzhen’s most promising designers at New York Fashion Week. Immediately following that show we knew that region’s talent pool deserved its own stage. We look forward to working with the local authorities in establishing this event as a gateway to upcoming Chinese talent," said Catherine Bennett, senior vice president and managing director of IMG Fashion Events & Properties.

According to local authorities, the city of Shenzhen, which is in the south of China, near Hong Kong, is home to almost 15,000 designers and more than 2,000 fashion companies which employ 300,000 people. 

The next Shenzhen Fashion Week will be held from March 20-24 at OCT Bay in Nanshan District. More than 40 shows are expected to take place. According to local press, besides a great deal of Chinese designers, the organizers have invited many foreign brands and other fashion industry players such Nelly Rodi to hold round table discussions.